"Make a Hole, Make it Wide"
Big Poppa's sitting back this Memorial Day weekend, resting his sunburned bald head and enjoying some Sam Adams Longshot brew. Plus the two bar stools I use to prop my rather large behind up at the bar are in for serious modification.
So as I sit back and thank those who serve our great nation for letting me be able to do so, I was dumb enough to turn on the television and watch my relaxation turn to that infamous "WTF?" moment many of us stumble upon.
1. Why must this country have controversy every day?
Monday, May 31 is Memorial Day. A day dedicated to our troops, past and present, for their unselfish volunteerism in the defense of our country and the freedom we love so much. Yet, people gotta have controversy on this day and complain that President Obama will not be attending the Arlington National Cemetery wreath dedication to our soldiers. President Obama is not the first President not to attend the Arlington Ceremony and he probably won't be the last either.
History shows tells us (unless it's 2011 and Texas History books have hit the market) that the idea of Memorial Day came from Civil War Major General John A. Logan, he called it "Decoration Day" way back on May 5, 1868. It was then celebrated a few weeks later on May 30 at Arlington National Cemetery. Why May 30? Well more for the fact that flowers would be in full bloom at the cemetery, giving more reverence to the 260,000 graves of those soldiers who gave their lives.
Since that day back 1868, Presidential visits to Arlington National Cemetery have been sporadic. Memorial Day did not even become a national holiday until 1971 under Pres. Richard Nixon. Until that day, cities and states celebrated individually.
President Reagan missed a day, he gave a speech at West Point. In his four years as President, George H.W. Bush never attended a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington, sending VP Dan Quayle instead. President Bill Clinton attended all eight ceremonies as president and President George W. Bush did not attend until 2003. As a matter of fact, both President Bushes did not attend any ceremonies of any sort in respect, except play golf. So why the fuss over President Obama?
President Obama skipped the Arlington Memorial Day service, but he paid respect to our fallen soldiers at another cemetery near Chicago. I understand the symbolism of Arlington and Memorial Day, but are these people that have railed against him saying that those who served that are not laid to rest at Arlington not as worthy?
Both my grandfathers served in World War II, one is buried in Pittsburgh and the other is buried in Cleveland. My mother served in the military during the Vietnam War and served as a Reservist in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. She'll probably be buried next to my grandfather in Pittsburgh when her time comes. Are these detractors saying my family is not worthy of having a President, present or future, honor them at their resting place on Memorial Day? That a President should only pay Memorial Day respects at Arlington?
A president should be allowed to pay his respect to our soldiers anywhere he or she shall want to. People should be angered about the commercialization of Memorial Day by car dealerships, food chains, and retail merchants.
2. BP's intelligence comes from ACME
The other story that should really have people thumping is the moronic upper management of BP. I swear it's like watching Looney Tunes and Wyl E. Coyote (Super Genius) every time I hear BP Executive Tony Hayworth speak.
We've had nicknames of operations called "Top Kill," "Top Hat," "Junk shot," and now "Marine Cap." Is there an Executive bubble gum dispenser with nicknames they pull these out of?
I love the people who want big government out of state and private business until now. The federal government cannot take over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, even though the 1990 Oil Pollution Act and 2005 National Response Framework give it the power to do so. However, it's the lack of resources that have kept the federal government from taking control. If the federal government had the equipment, I'm sure they would, but at this point if they took over, the federal government basically would have to lease the equipment from BP. So it becomes a new version of "Let's Make a Deal."
However, the federal and state governments should take over the cleanup efforts. Louisiana has already been doing so at their various barrier islands and wetlands, but they need help. I'm sure there a few bodies watching porn on their government computer for eight hours that could be shipped down to the Gulf.
I've already seen a few emails from people stating that President Obama caused the BP/Deepwater Horizon accident to cancel all future oil drilling projects. These people are just as bad as the Michael Moore worshippers that believe President George W Bush was behind September 11, 2001 attacks.
And where is Kevin Costner's project? Wasn't it supposed to be tested three weeks ago? Sometimes I think the Europeans have it right on certain matters. On Nuclear Reactor facilities, they use only two styles of buildings and have heavy regulations. On Oil drilling, they make the companies drill a relief well simultaneously.
All kidding aside, BP and all the other actors involved need to get this cleaned up and face all the legal battles that are soon to follow. Raise the liability limit from %75 million to $500 million or more. You caused the damage, you gotta pay for it. I'm surprised they haven't starting charging for people to view the oil spew webcam on their website yet.
That's it, the peanut bowl was used by BP's Junk Shot and the Longshot case was empty when I asked Kevin Costner to rescue the Gulf. Now I gotta go build a kid's swing set.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Open Letter to the NFL: Move the NFL Pro Bowl
"Make a Hole Make it Wide"
Big Poppa's having a "No Politics" kinda day, I can't even muster up the gentleman thing to do and buy Senator Arlen Specter a beer, but hey I voted against him anyways, so buy your own damn beer Arlen.
As I flip through the Comcast TV schedule, I notice that tonight is NASCAR's All Star race in Charlotte, NC. A huge event for race fans, corporate sponsors and the SPEED Network. As I look down the empty Sam Adam's Boston Lager I so much enjoy, I wondered why doesn't the NFL be true to their fans and hold their All Star game mid-season like the rest of the American Professional sports world?
A quick NFL Pro Bowl history will show you that from 1950 through 1972, the game was held at the Los Angeles Coliseum. After 1972, the game was moved around until 1980 when it landed at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. It's been there ever since, with this past year as the exception. The 2010 Pro Bowl was held at Sun Life Stadium in sunny Miami, Florida. The game returns to Honolulu for the next two years.
Miami reaped the benefits have hosting both the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl this year and fans attending both in glorious fashion.
The NFL Pro Bowl is usually held the week after the Super Bowl, however the NFL moved the game to the week prior to the Super Bowl. Fans came in droves for the Pro Bowl and/or the Super Bowl, both the city of Miami and the NFL prospered from it.
Aloha Stadium only holds a mere 50,000 people, but Sun Life Stadium can hold up to 75,000+ football loving fans. So profits went up but that was not the only thing, so was the viewing audiences at home as ratings shot up 40%.
The one thing about the All Star games of the NHL, NBA and MLB is the venue changes each season and the fans get to enjoy the hospitality of that city. My town of Pittsburgh has hosted the NHL All Star game and two MLB All Star games and the town benefited from those events. So why not move the NFL Pro Bowl, and not just the city, but also the schedule?
The NFL already makes billions of dollars and with Player contracts rising every year, I'm positive the NFL wouldn't mind making some extra scratch, especially these days with the Collective Bargaining Agreement coming to an end this season.
The NFL takes pride in their "Bye week" system. Having 4-6 teams off for one week starting from week 4 through week 9, is supposedly to help teams recuperate injuries and get a breather, so they can make a run for the playoffs. This is bogus, it's really to extend the season by another week. If the NFL wanted teams to make a run for the playoffs, they should move the Pro Bowl to the end of October, half way through like the other Pro Sports.
If the NFL took the final two weeks of October, say the first weekend for the Pro Bowl, and then the second week give the league an entire break to rest. This would give teams two full weeks to recuperate injuries, fix roster positions, maybe make a trade, etc. Then everyone has a shot to make the second half of the season more exciting as everyone, including the Cleveland Browns, would have a shot at the playoffs.
Face it, many NFL Players skip out of the Pro Bowl anyway, due to injury or in the 2010 case, they are to play in the Super Bowl the following week. Fans got to see players like Peyton Manning and Drew Brees introduced, but not play. Many fans felt cheated, but those players still got the Pro Bowl contracted money, stuck around till half time and left.
And those NFL players that are injured and skip out, well the NHL has the best policy for that. No matter what, unless you're in a hospital, you will be in attendance for the fans, meet/greet, sign autographs, all that stuff, because if it wasn't for the fans, you might be playing in Southwest Russia.
Yes, the players were upset that the venue and date changed. Many Pro Bowl players take their families or other teammates along with them, like a mini vacation for a long season. But it's the fans that vote, it's the fans that buy the merchandise, and no matter what NY Jets Wide Receiver Santonio Holmes says, it is the fans the pay your salary. Without the fan support, many of the NFL players might be playing in the Canadian Football League. Even Donald Trump realized that once you lose the fans, you lose the league (After all, Trump killed the USFL in the 1980's).
Also the fact that many of the Pro Bowl tickets go to corporations like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Reebok, Nike, and else, many fans do not travel to Honolulu to watch the game.
A round trip flight from the East Coast to Honolulu can cost around $850 for one person, not to mention hotel, food, and the cheapest Pro Bowl ticket for 2011 is roughly $125 dollars. It could cost one person an easy $1,500 for the weekend.
Aloha Stadium only holds 50,000 people. But say the game is moved to Fed Ex Field, home of the Washington Redskins? That stadium holds 91, 704 screaming fans. So if you live in Cleveland, Ohio, a flight from Hopkins Airport is roughly $134 for the end of October, Pro Bowl ticket cost at $125 dollars, food, hotel, etc.. and you could save about $800. Of course this is all for one fan.
The NFL could get more people to attend, the cities would make some much needed money in these dreary days as well. For example, Honolulu rakes in roughly $28 million for the NFL Pro Bowl weekend.
Charlotte, North Carolina is the home for this year's NASCAR All Star race. The Lowe's Motor Speedway holds 165,000 seats, plus room for another 40,000 infield seats and tickets range from $39 to $75. A round trip plane ticket costs roughly $139, plus hotel, food, and merchandise total cost for one person is roughly $400. In this one weekend, Charlotte can make around $75 million for an All Star event!
Cities pay large money to become hosts of big league events and other convention entities, why not spread the NFL wealth Mr. Commissioner and move the Pro Bowl so fans from all over can enjoy it up close and personal
Big Poppa's having a "No Politics" kinda day, I can't even muster up the gentleman thing to do and buy Senator Arlen Specter a beer, but hey I voted against him anyways, so buy your own damn beer Arlen.
As I flip through the Comcast TV schedule, I notice that tonight is NASCAR's All Star race in Charlotte, NC. A huge event for race fans, corporate sponsors and the SPEED Network. As I look down the empty Sam Adam's Boston Lager I so much enjoy, I wondered why doesn't the NFL be true to their fans and hold their All Star game mid-season like the rest of the American Professional sports world?
A quick NFL Pro Bowl history will show you that from 1950 through 1972, the game was held at the Los Angeles Coliseum. After 1972, the game was moved around until 1980 when it landed at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. It's been there ever since, with this past year as the exception. The 2010 Pro Bowl was held at Sun Life Stadium in sunny Miami, Florida. The game returns to Honolulu for the next two years.
Miami reaped the benefits have hosting both the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl this year and fans attending both in glorious fashion.
The NFL Pro Bowl is usually held the week after the Super Bowl, however the NFL moved the game to the week prior to the Super Bowl. Fans came in droves for the Pro Bowl and/or the Super Bowl, both the city of Miami and the NFL prospered from it.
Aloha Stadium only holds a mere 50,000 people, but Sun Life Stadium can hold up to 75,000+ football loving fans. So profits went up but that was not the only thing, so was the viewing audiences at home as ratings shot up 40%.
The one thing about the All Star games of the NHL, NBA and MLB is the venue changes each season and the fans get to enjoy the hospitality of that city. My town of Pittsburgh has hosted the NHL All Star game and two MLB All Star games and the town benefited from those events. So why not move the NFL Pro Bowl, and not just the city, but also the schedule?
The NFL already makes billions of dollars and with Player contracts rising every year, I'm positive the NFL wouldn't mind making some extra scratch, especially these days with the Collective Bargaining Agreement coming to an end this season.
The NFL takes pride in their "Bye week" system. Having 4-6 teams off for one week starting from week 4 through week 9, is supposedly to help teams recuperate injuries and get a breather, so they can make a run for the playoffs. This is bogus, it's really to extend the season by another week. If the NFL wanted teams to make a run for the playoffs, they should move the Pro Bowl to the end of October, half way through like the other Pro Sports.
If the NFL took the final two weeks of October, say the first weekend for the Pro Bowl, and then the second week give the league an entire break to rest. This would give teams two full weeks to recuperate injuries, fix roster positions, maybe make a trade, etc. Then everyone has a shot to make the second half of the season more exciting as everyone, including the Cleveland Browns, would have a shot at the playoffs.
Face it, many NFL Players skip out of the Pro Bowl anyway, due to injury or in the 2010 case, they are to play in the Super Bowl the following week. Fans got to see players like Peyton Manning and Drew Brees introduced, but not play. Many fans felt cheated, but those players still got the Pro Bowl contracted money, stuck around till half time and left.
And those NFL players that are injured and skip out, well the NHL has the best policy for that. No matter what, unless you're in a hospital, you will be in attendance for the fans, meet/greet, sign autographs, all that stuff, because if it wasn't for the fans, you might be playing in Southwest Russia.
Yes, the players were upset that the venue and date changed. Many Pro Bowl players take their families or other teammates along with them, like a mini vacation for a long season. But it's the fans that vote, it's the fans that buy the merchandise, and no matter what NY Jets Wide Receiver Santonio Holmes says, it is the fans the pay your salary. Without the fan support, many of the NFL players might be playing in the Canadian Football League. Even Donald Trump realized that once you lose the fans, you lose the league (After all, Trump killed the USFL in the 1980's).
Also the fact that many of the Pro Bowl tickets go to corporations like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Reebok, Nike, and else, many fans do not travel to Honolulu to watch the game.
A round trip flight from the East Coast to Honolulu can cost around $850 for one person, not to mention hotel, food, and the cheapest Pro Bowl ticket for 2011 is roughly $125 dollars. It could cost one person an easy $1,500 for the weekend.
Aloha Stadium only holds 50,000 people. But say the game is moved to Fed Ex Field, home of the Washington Redskins? That stadium holds 91, 704 screaming fans. So if you live in Cleveland, Ohio, a flight from Hopkins Airport is roughly $134 for the end of October, Pro Bowl ticket cost at $125 dollars, food, hotel, etc.. and you could save about $800. Of course this is all for one fan.
The NFL could get more people to attend, the cities would make some much needed money in these dreary days as well. For example, Honolulu rakes in roughly $28 million for the NFL Pro Bowl weekend.
Charlotte, North Carolina is the home for this year's NASCAR All Star race. The Lowe's Motor Speedway holds 165,000 seats, plus room for another 40,000 infield seats and tickets range from $39 to $75. A round trip plane ticket costs roughly $139, plus hotel, food, and merchandise total cost for one person is roughly $400. In this one weekend, Charlotte can make around $75 million for an All Star event!
Cities pay large money to become hosts of big league events and other convention entities, why not spread the NFL wealth Mr. Commissioner and move the Pro Bowl so fans from all over can enjoy it up close and personal
Monday, May 17, 2010
Fast 4: Obama, Kagan, Perry, Cantor.. Oh My!
"Make a Hole Make it Wide"
That's right, Big Poppa is back and that's only because my double wide butt got turned away at the Arizona border for having a legal driver's license and a bottle of Arizona Tea. So grab a tall frosty one, because Big Poppa's got the "Fast 4" for this blog.
Fast 4:
1. Elena Kagan softball picture worth a headache?
So if your daughter plays softball one can than have the belief that she's a lesbian. Or your unmarried successful daughter might be a lesbian as well.
On May 13th, the Wall Street Journal released a photo from 1993 of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan playing softball. Immediately some people linked that photo to her being a lesbian.
Fox's Greta Van Strussen asked former Gov. Sarah Palin about the photo. I can't believe I'm agreeing with Gov. Palin on this, but as she stated on 5/14 show, ".. that picture means nothing. I played softball when I was a teenager and I'm normal. Let's talk judicial thought instead." Exactly Governor.
The American Family Association reasoning for calling Ms. Kagan a lesbian is simply "because she's a successful 50 something single woman." Really? That's all it takes to declare someone as a lesbian. Wow! Ok, then here's a shot at the AFA's theory, would they say the same for former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice? Like that of Ms. Kagan, very little is known of Ms. Rice's personal life.
I am not calling Ms. Rice a lesbian, I have respect for her and her accomplishments, but if you go by AFA terminology then she must be. I think Mr. Rice did a excellent job for our country and she's a sports fan! She has even gone on record stating she would love to be commissioner of the National Football League.
Ok, so Ms. Kagan does not have the judicial background. Well here is today's history lesson, neither did Justice Rehnquist, as well as Warren, White, Goldberg, Powell, and Fortas. Last I checked, Rehnquist served from 1986 to 2005. 36% of our Supreme Court justices lacked judicial experience.
Also as Kagan's Princeton History thesis is titled "To the Final Conflict: Socialism in New York City, 1900-1933," you have to remember it's a history paper.
No different then John Robert's Harvard History thesis titled
"Marxism and Bolshevism: Theory and Practice” and “Old and New Liberalism: The British Liberal Party's Approach to the Social Problem"
Does that make Roberts a Marxist? No more than Kagan is a Socialist.
2. President Obama recruits LeBron James
Cleveland's hopes of a NBA Championship in over 45 years came to an end last week when "King" LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers got bounced out of the NBA playoffs by the Boston Celtics. Now there is word that President Obama wants to talk LeBron James into playing for his beloved Chicago Bulls. Does anyone really care?
Lebron James is the coveted trophy to get now in Free Agency, from Coast to Coast the teams that can afford him are going to make a play, even Cleveland wants to keep him and they can afford it the most.
But listening to the local sports talkers, they are making a big deal over President Obama's wishes. OK, everyone knows our 44th president is a sports fanatic, just like Pres. "W" loves his Texas Rangers baseball and University of Texas Longhorn football. Like most people, Obama likes to kick back after a stressfull day and watch ESPN and maybe have a beer (hint: Obama, I'm waiting for my beer invite).
But is it news, that Obama wants him to play for his beloved Chicago Bulls? No. I want Drew Brees under center for the Steelers and Derek Jeter to play shortstop for the Pirates, but so do many other Pittsburgh sports fans. Is that news? No.
ESPN has taken much liberty in the fact Obama is a sports fan, but then again they already started their "Bret Favre" retirement clock two minutes after this year's Super Bowl. Another story people just don't care about.
3. Eric Cantor of Virginia come on down...
So House Minority Whip Eric Cantor wants to turn his party's responsibilities into an "American Idol-esque" roadshow, called YouCut. My understanding of the gameplan, each week they'll post 5 government funded programs, explain their purpose (good or bad), how much it costs taxpayers and then have America vote on which one to get rid off. Cantor and House Republicans will give that progam an "up or down vote."
Now Cantor gave some examples such as: $260 million dollar presidential election fund and $2.5 billion in welfare. And the total savings of the 5 programs over 5 years is .16% of the budget
I can see getting rid of the $260 million dollar presidential election fund. My accountant asks me every year if I want to give to it, which I respond "not a chance." I've never given to that fund and never plan to. But that number of $260 million is over a five year span according to Cantor's website. But it's a start.
I am more curious about the $2.6 billion spent on Community Development Block Grants. Created to help improve economic development in lower income communites, much of this fund is dispersed to higher income communities as well. So why not fix this program so the moneyy goes to the right places as it was intended to do.
Why not fix the programs and have them work as they are intended to do and get rid of the archaic ones that have no meaning?
I spoke to a few people about YouCut, some laughed and some questioned it. But many responded "isn't this why we vote people into federal office to do? Why are we doing half their job and not getting paid for it?"
Not to mention, you gotta vote by "text." Text charges will apply depending on your plan. I guess people would've responded better if the story was released on the "Game Show" network by Bob Barker.
4. Rick Perry's rental crib
Speaking of game shows, I read that Texas Gov. Rick Perry has been renting a posh-crib for $10,0000/monthly while the governor's mansion is being renovated after fire back in 2007. Oh and the Texas state budget is already $11 billion short this coming year and the following year, plus all those new History books they have to buy.
Gov. Perry has been telling state departments to cut their budgets by 5%, which is perfectly fine, but now they are about to ask state workers to take furloughs to help with the budget. If I was a Texan (thankfully I am not), I'd be telling Gov. Perry it's time to relocate and save some cash.
According to records, Gov Perry's rental-crib is on the market for $1.85 million, with that you get three acres of land and over 6,500 square feet of living space.
The Governor's Mansion, ownened and operated by Texas taxpayers is over 9,900 sq ft, but unfortunatly only 2,750 of that is useable since the rest is dedicated to historic relics and those pesky tourists. By comparison, www.zillow.com lists the White House at a steal for a cool $277 million with 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 3 elevators. (http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1600-Pennsylvania-Ave-NW-Washington-DC-20006/84074482_zpid/)
Texans are picking up the tab and everything from the maintenance on the heated pool to lawn care. Gov Perry's campaign fund pays for the food and drinks, through the "Mansion Fund." However, there are now a team of Ethnics lawyers looking into whether Gov Perry is violating campaign finance laws since they list receipts as "Mansion Expenditures" without listing what is what or even who got paid what.
That's an argument that many brought up concerning donations by unnamed persons during President Obama's 2008 campaign. People wanted to know who was who. So will these people say the same for Gov Perry? It was only last year that Gov Perry stood in front of a Texas Tea Party rally demanding federal spending accountability. I say Gov Perry, where's your state spending accountability for your tax payers?
Chew on those nugggets for a bit. The peanut bowl was empty on #3 and I gotta write my farwell card to Pa Senator Arlen Specter.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37343.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7720820/Elena-Kagan-outed-as-lesbian-by-Wall-Street-Journal-softball-picture.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5189274
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/05/cantor_lets_activists_vote_on.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100517/ap_on_re_us/us_texas_governor_temporary_mansion
That's right, Big Poppa is back and that's only because my double wide butt got turned away at the Arizona border for having a legal driver's license and a bottle of Arizona Tea. So grab a tall frosty one, because Big Poppa's got the "Fast 4" for this blog.
Fast 4:
1. Elena Kagan softball picture worth a headache?
So if your daughter plays softball one can than have the belief that she's a lesbian. Or your unmarried successful daughter might be a lesbian as well.
On May 13th, the Wall Street Journal released a photo from 1993 of Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan playing softball. Immediately some people linked that photo to her being a lesbian.
Fox's Greta Van Strussen asked former Gov. Sarah Palin about the photo. I can't believe I'm agreeing with Gov. Palin on this, but as she stated on 5/14 show, ".. that picture means nothing. I played softball when I was a teenager and I'm normal. Let's talk judicial thought instead." Exactly Governor.
The American Family Association reasoning for calling Ms. Kagan a lesbian is simply "because she's a successful 50 something single woman." Really? That's all it takes to declare someone as a lesbian. Wow! Ok, then here's a shot at the AFA's theory, would they say the same for former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice? Like that of Ms. Kagan, very little is known of Ms. Rice's personal life.
I am not calling Ms. Rice a lesbian, I have respect for her and her accomplishments, but if you go by AFA terminology then she must be. I think Mr. Rice did a excellent job for our country and she's a sports fan! She has even gone on record stating she would love to be commissioner of the National Football League.
Ok, so Ms. Kagan does not have the judicial background. Well here is today's history lesson, neither did Justice Rehnquist, as well as Warren, White, Goldberg, Powell, and Fortas. Last I checked, Rehnquist served from 1986 to 2005. 36% of our Supreme Court justices lacked judicial experience.
Also as Kagan's Princeton History thesis is titled "To the Final Conflict: Socialism in New York City, 1900-1933," you have to remember it's a history paper.
No different then John Robert's Harvard History thesis titled
"Marxism and Bolshevism: Theory and Practice” and “Old and New Liberalism: The British Liberal Party's Approach to the Social Problem"
Does that make Roberts a Marxist? No more than Kagan is a Socialist.
2. President Obama recruits LeBron James
Cleveland's hopes of a NBA Championship in over 45 years came to an end last week when "King" LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers got bounced out of the NBA playoffs by the Boston Celtics. Now there is word that President Obama wants to talk LeBron James into playing for his beloved Chicago Bulls. Does anyone really care?
Lebron James is the coveted trophy to get now in Free Agency, from Coast to Coast the teams that can afford him are going to make a play, even Cleveland wants to keep him and they can afford it the most.
But listening to the local sports talkers, they are making a big deal over President Obama's wishes. OK, everyone knows our 44th president is a sports fanatic, just like Pres. "W" loves his Texas Rangers baseball and University of Texas Longhorn football. Like most people, Obama likes to kick back after a stressfull day and watch ESPN and maybe have a beer (hint: Obama, I'm waiting for my beer invite).
But is it news, that Obama wants him to play for his beloved Chicago Bulls? No. I want Drew Brees under center for the Steelers and Derek Jeter to play shortstop for the Pirates, but so do many other Pittsburgh sports fans. Is that news? No.
ESPN has taken much liberty in the fact Obama is a sports fan, but then again they already started their "Bret Favre" retirement clock two minutes after this year's Super Bowl. Another story people just don't care about.
3. Eric Cantor of Virginia come on down...
So House Minority Whip Eric Cantor wants to turn his party's responsibilities into an "American Idol-esque" roadshow, called YouCut. My understanding of the gameplan, each week they'll post 5 government funded programs, explain their purpose (good or bad), how much it costs taxpayers and then have America vote on which one to get rid off. Cantor and House Republicans will give that progam an "up or down vote."
Now Cantor gave some examples such as: $260 million dollar presidential election fund and $2.5 billion in welfare. And the total savings of the 5 programs over 5 years is .16% of the budget
I can see getting rid of the $260 million dollar presidential election fund. My accountant asks me every year if I want to give to it, which I respond "not a chance." I've never given to that fund and never plan to. But that number of $260 million is over a five year span according to Cantor's website. But it's a start.
I am more curious about the $2.6 billion spent on Community Development Block Grants. Created to help improve economic development in lower income communites, much of this fund is dispersed to higher income communities as well. So why not fix this program so the moneyy goes to the right places as it was intended to do.
Why not fix the programs and have them work as they are intended to do and get rid of the archaic ones that have no meaning?
I spoke to a few people about YouCut, some laughed and some questioned it. But many responded "isn't this why we vote people into federal office to do? Why are we doing half their job and not getting paid for it?"
Not to mention, you gotta vote by "text." Text charges will apply depending on your plan. I guess people would've responded better if the story was released on the "Game Show" network by Bob Barker.
4. Rick Perry's rental crib
Speaking of game shows, I read that Texas Gov. Rick Perry has been renting a posh-crib for $10,0000/monthly while the governor's mansion is being renovated after fire back in 2007. Oh and the Texas state budget is already $11 billion short this coming year and the following year, plus all those new History books they have to buy.
Gov. Perry has been telling state departments to cut their budgets by 5%, which is perfectly fine, but now they are about to ask state workers to take furloughs to help with the budget. If I was a Texan (thankfully I am not), I'd be telling Gov. Perry it's time to relocate and save some cash.
According to records, Gov Perry's rental-crib is on the market for $1.85 million, with that you get three acres of land and over 6,500 square feet of living space.
The Governor's Mansion, ownened and operated by Texas taxpayers is over 9,900 sq ft, but unfortunatly only 2,750 of that is useable since the rest is dedicated to historic relics and those pesky tourists. By comparison, www.zillow.com lists the White House at a steal for a cool $277 million with 132 rooms, 35 bathrooms, and 3 elevators. (http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1600-Pennsylvania-Ave-NW-Washington-DC-20006/84074482_zpid/)
Texans are picking up the tab and everything from the maintenance on the heated pool to lawn care. Gov Perry's campaign fund pays for the food and drinks, through the "Mansion Fund." However, there are now a team of Ethnics lawyers looking into whether Gov Perry is violating campaign finance laws since they list receipts as "Mansion Expenditures" without listing what is what or even who got paid what.
That's an argument that many brought up concerning donations by unnamed persons during President Obama's 2008 campaign. People wanted to know who was who. So will these people say the same for Gov Perry? It was only last year that Gov Perry stood in front of a Texas Tea Party rally demanding federal spending accountability. I say Gov Perry, where's your state spending accountability for your tax payers?
Chew on those nugggets for a bit. The peanut bowl was empty on #3 and I gotta write my farwell card to Pa Senator Arlen Specter.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37343.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7720820/Elena-Kagan-outed-as-lesbian-by-Wall-Street-Journal-softball-picture.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5189274
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/05/cantor_lets_activists_vote_on.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100517/ap_on_re_us/us_texas_governor_temporary_mansion
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Please protest correctly
Until recently, the professional athlete and professional sports ownership have kept low key on their political belief. However in the past decade, many have come out to support what they feel is politically right, whether or not it would hurt their professional image or team image.
Fans are what keeps the sports world intact. Fans help pay the high salaries of the star players. Fans buy the merchandise, no matter the design, it's a shield of honor to display their favorite team insignia.
But what happens when your favorite player or favorite team enters the political arena and you find yourself in disagreement with them? Do you cast aside your political opposition for the love of the player/team? Or maybe you agree with them wholeheartedly, would you buy more merchandise in support?
What if your favorite player/team gets involved in moral difference? Would you protest the player to be traded, burn their jersey in the fireplace? Would you turn your back on the team and find a new favorite?
Over the past decade, fan favorites like former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, San Diego Chargers owner Alex Spanos, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, and Robert Sarver of the Phoenix Suns have moved into the political arena. Their moves have split their fans and leaving some scratching their heads wondering what to do?
Curt Schilling helped campaign for President George W Bush in 2004. Since then, Mr. Schilling has kept campaigning around Massachusetts. He's a favorite at FOX News and the Massachusetts's Republican Party even considered having the Schilling run for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat. How many have turned on Mr. Schilling in the last six years?
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney bucked his long time Republican political belief and campaigned for then Senator Barrack Obama, after which President Obama selected Mr. Rooney to be the new Ambassador to Ireland. Many fans felt Mr. Rooney should have kept his political beliefs to himself. How many fans left Steelers Nation over Mr. Rooney's political fallout?
On May 5Th, 2010, the Phoenix Suns received some national attention but not for being in the playoffs. The Phoenix Suns were pulling a political and marketing ploy in the wake of the controversial Arizona Immigration Law. It was Cinco de Mayo and the Suns decided to wear a special jersey for the day, one that read "Los Suns."
Phoenix Suns managing partner Robert Sarver gave the reasoning for the special jersey as "Our players and organization felt that wearing our 'Los Suns' jerseys on Cinco de Mayo was a way for our team and our organization to honor our Latino community and the diversity of our league, the State of Arizona, and our nation. We are proud that 400 players from 36 countries compete in the NBA."
FOX & Friends host Brian Kilmeade suggested that Phoenix Suns ownership forced their players to be used "as billboards" to protest the Arizona immigrant law. Mr. Sarver quickly responded to the accusation by saying "We left it up to the players and they unanimously vote to wear them." Star player Steve Nash backed up Mr. Sarver's words as well as the rest of the locker room.
The Phoenix Suns ownership has been verbally against the new Arizona Immigration law as well as some of current and former players. But Mr. Sarver is not the only managing partner of a pro team to voice his opinion the state against the law. The Arizona Diamondbacks managing partner Ken Kendrick has gone on record stating he is personally against the law, however the team itself does take a political stand. Yet with that, people having been traveling across the country, protesting at whatever venue the D'Backs are playing.
The D'Backs were in Chicago to play the White Sox a few days after the Immigration Law was signed, and protesters were waiting for them. Why? Because they are called the "Arizona" Diamondbacks.
And while we are at it; Arizona Tea is made in New York and Arizona Jeans are made in the Philippines! So please stop protesting them just because of the name.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are well aware that there will be some sort of protest outside Heinz Field during the 2010 season in response to the rape accusations of their star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger off field actions. Steelers Nation has been split on the response of Steelers ownership to keep Roethliseberger as well. Some called for the team trade the star player during the NFL Draft, some thank the Steelers for keeping him and giving him a second chance, ala Michael Vick in Philadelphia.
However, Pennsylvania is now considering their own version of the Arizona Immigration Law, will people protest all the pro sports teams from Pennsylvania as well? Or is it the name recognition game, since none of those teams use "Pennsylvania" in their name?
Should people then protest the "Pennsylvania Water Company" instead? Stop paying your water bill in protest to the law if it's passed?
How about residents in any state that decided to pass a similar law? Should people from Ohio stop routing for the Ohio State Buckeyes or the Ohio Bearcats.
How about people start protesting Outback Steakhouse for false advertisement, since the restaurant chain has nothing other than it's name in dealing with Australia. It is originally from Tampa, Florida!
Nowadays people will protest anything and everything, from celebrities with a political view to sports apparel companies, soldier funerals, farmville requests, and pro sports franchises. But if you are gonna protest something, make sure you have the facts straight first.
Sidenote: Cinco de Mayo was not created by the Corona Beer Company. Cinco de Mayo is a holiday to commemorate Mexico's defeat of the French Army at the Battle of Pueblo in 1862. The Mexican state of Pueblo celebrates this piece of history and those along the U.S./Mexican border. Commercialism in the United States of beer and Mexican food promotion have given it a different meaning to those outside Hispanic decent. Kinda like "Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day" themes
Fans are what keeps the sports world intact. Fans help pay the high salaries of the star players. Fans buy the merchandise, no matter the design, it's a shield of honor to display their favorite team insignia.
But what happens when your favorite player or favorite team enters the political arena and you find yourself in disagreement with them? Do you cast aside your political opposition for the love of the player/team? Or maybe you agree with them wholeheartedly, would you buy more merchandise in support?
What if your favorite player/team gets involved in moral difference? Would you protest the player to be traded, burn their jersey in the fireplace? Would you turn your back on the team and find a new favorite?
Over the past decade, fan favorites like former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, San Diego Chargers owner Alex Spanos, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, and Robert Sarver of the Phoenix Suns have moved into the political arena. Their moves have split their fans and leaving some scratching their heads wondering what to do?
Curt Schilling helped campaign for President George W Bush in 2004. Since then, Mr. Schilling has kept campaigning around Massachusetts. He's a favorite at FOX News and the Massachusetts's Republican Party even considered having the Schilling run for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat. How many have turned on Mr. Schilling in the last six years?
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney bucked his long time Republican political belief and campaigned for then Senator Barrack Obama, after which President Obama selected Mr. Rooney to be the new Ambassador to Ireland. Many fans felt Mr. Rooney should have kept his political beliefs to himself. How many fans left Steelers Nation over Mr. Rooney's political fallout?
On May 5Th, 2010, the Phoenix Suns received some national attention but not for being in the playoffs. The Phoenix Suns were pulling a political and marketing ploy in the wake of the controversial Arizona Immigration Law. It was Cinco de Mayo and the Suns decided to wear a special jersey for the day, one that read "Los Suns."
Phoenix Suns managing partner Robert Sarver gave the reasoning for the special jersey as "Our players and organization felt that wearing our 'Los Suns' jerseys on Cinco de Mayo was a way for our team and our organization to honor our Latino community and the diversity of our league, the State of Arizona, and our nation. We are proud that 400 players from 36 countries compete in the NBA."
FOX & Friends host Brian Kilmeade suggested that Phoenix Suns ownership forced their players to be used "as billboards" to protest the Arizona immigrant law. Mr. Sarver quickly responded to the accusation by saying "We left it up to the players and they unanimously vote to wear them." Star player Steve Nash backed up Mr. Sarver's words as well as the rest of the locker room.
The Phoenix Suns ownership has been verbally against the new Arizona Immigration law as well as some of current and former players. But Mr. Sarver is not the only managing partner of a pro team to voice his opinion the state against the law. The Arizona Diamondbacks managing partner Ken Kendrick has gone on record stating he is personally against the law, however the team itself does take a political stand. Yet with that, people having been traveling across the country, protesting at whatever venue the D'Backs are playing.
The D'Backs were in Chicago to play the White Sox a few days after the Immigration Law was signed, and protesters were waiting for them. Why? Because they are called the "Arizona" Diamondbacks.
And while we are at it; Arizona Tea is made in New York and Arizona Jeans are made in the Philippines! So please stop protesting them just because of the name.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans are well aware that there will be some sort of protest outside Heinz Field during the 2010 season in response to the rape accusations of their star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger off field actions. Steelers Nation has been split on the response of Steelers ownership to keep Roethliseberger as well. Some called for the team trade the star player during the NFL Draft, some thank the Steelers for keeping him and giving him a second chance, ala Michael Vick in Philadelphia.
However, Pennsylvania is now considering their own version of the Arizona Immigration Law, will people protest all the pro sports teams from Pennsylvania as well? Or is it the name recognition game, since none of those teams use "Pennsylvania" in their name?
Should people then protest the "Pennsylvania Water Company" instead? Stop paying your water bill in protest to the law if it's passed?
How about residents in any state that decided to pass a similar law? Should people from Ohio stop routing for the Ohio State Buckeyes or the Ohio Bearcats.
How about people start protesting Outback Steakhouse for false advertisement, since the restaurant chain has nothing other than it's name in dealing with Australia. It is originally from Tampa, Florida!
Nowadays people will protest anything and everything, from celebrities with a political view to sports apparel companies, soldier funerals, farmville requests, and pro sports franchises. But if you are gonna protest something, make sure you have the facts straight first.
Sidenote: Cinco de Mayo was not created by the Corona Beer Company. Cinco de Mayo is a holiday to commemorate Mexico's defeat of the French Army at the Battle of Pueblo in 1862. The Mexican state of Pueblo celebrates this piece of history and those along the U.S./Mexican border. Commercialism in the United States of beer and Mexican food promotion have given it a different meaning to those outside Hispanic decent. Kinda like "Everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day" themes
Sunday, May 2, 2010
If deported, who'll care for the golf course?
On April 23, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed SB-1070 into law, the Arizona anti-immigration bill. One week later, on April 30, Gov. Brewer signed the first revision of that bill. Gov. Brewer has stated that "Arizona has been under a terroristic state because of the influx of illegal immigrants" yet if she felt that way, why the quick change in law?
Previously under the law, a police officer would have been allowed to asked anyone for proof of U.S. citizenship if they suspected that person was in the U.S. illegally. You need no tot be doing anything wrong, just a simple question at any time, basically a judgment call by the police officer. Now, however, under the revision, you must have done something to warrant the question.
Whether if you are pulled over for a traffic violation or walking outside the crosswalk, then and only then can the police officer ask for legal documentation of U.S. citizenship. So you gotta do something wrong to be asked, kind of like immigration's version of "don't ask don't tell." Yet the revision does not take place till July 2010.
With all the fuss over the Arizona law, the thought of a National I.D. has come to surface. Ever since 9/11, Republicans have told us that they are the true defenders of the United States and the Democrats will allow more attacks to happen. So why is there very little Republican support in Congress for the new National Immigration law?
Under the proposed law, Democrats are calling for immigration overhaul with ideas of; National I.D. card, increased money for border patrol agents, helicopters and unmanned drones to patrol the border. The proposal would also seek out companies the hire illegal immigrants or "undocumented workers." Is that the politically correct term these days?
The law pushes many ideas to tighten the borders, to stiffen prosecution of drug smugglers, to hiring more department agents in: Border, Immigration & Customs, Arraignment officers, Deportation officers, even the Coast Guard would get a bump in surplus.
President George W Bush signed the Secure Fence Act in October 2006 and to this day only about 50 miles of that fence for 700 miles requested was built along the Mexican border. Estimated cost of $9 million/mile, the fence is not moving due to geography and unhappy land owners fighting that the fence would split their pink flamingos in their yard. Not to mention that in December 2006 after the law was signed, the Golden State Fence Company was contracted to work on the fence line outside of San Diego. Golden State was found guilty of hiring illegal, or "undocumented workers" to build that fence. And it wasn't the first time Golden State got busted for using "undocumented workers."
Now if 54 Republicans and 26 Democrats eagerly helped pass President Bush's silly fence bill, why is there no Republican support for the current major immigration overhaul that is on the Congressional calendar?
National I.D. cards are nothing new. Many suggested the idea to President Bush shortly after 9/11 and he waved off the idea. One could consider your Social Security number as one form of National I.D., since we are asked for our Social Security numbers from job interviews to college administration forms to credit cards application.
There was the REAL ID Act of 2005, which became a joke from the get-go. Many panned it as illegal, since it basically turned state Department of Motor Vehicle workers into federal Immigration workers. The cost to implement the technology became bloated and the timeframe for implementation went from January 2008 to January 2017. Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff once said "..embracing REAL ID would mean it would be used to "cash a check, hire a baby sitter, board a plane or engage in countless other activities. This is a description of a national identification system, which is illegal in the United States."
For the longest time, we as Americans have been Pavlov's dog of sorts in stereotyping people by race, religion, etc.. "No Irish Need Apply" was a common advertisement in 1800's America, forcing many Irishmen to take to manual labor jobs, sometimes causing race riots with African Americans trying to get that very same job.
After 9/11, many Americans stereotyped all Muslims as terrorists, while forgetting Timothy McVeigh was still considered a "red blooded" American on April 19, 1995 in Oklahoma City. And many Americans praise Andrew Joseph Stack as an American hero for flying his propeller plane into the Austin, Texas IRS building, killing two federal employees and injuring others.
No one can identify a terrorist nor an illegal immigrant, even Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has stated "I couldn't identify an illegal immigrant if I saw one." Through television and movies, for decades, we have seen image after image that an illegal immigrant is Hispanic. Thoughts of the movie "Born in East L.A." come to mind when Cheech Marin's character gets deported because he left his wallet at home and could not show proof of citizenship. Through constant imagery and repeated rotation, we assume all illegal immigrants are Hispanic and all terrorists are of Muslim decent.
After the May Day parades and anti-Arizona immigration rallies held coast to coast this past weekend, probably one incident will somehow turn into a "6 degrees of illegal immigrants" game.
As many of us now know, Times Square was sent into a frenzy as a T-Shirt (and former Vietnam Veteran)vendor spotted an unattended smoking(!) SUV in the area. The vendor immediately rushed to the nearest police officer. Quick thinking by the vendor and quicker response from New York finest, Times Square was evacuated for a possible car bomb plot. Luckily, those who designed the bomb failed in all their attempts to cause chaos as the car bomb never went off. But one can be positive that come Monday morning, that some media source, whether it be a respected journalist or an opinionator, will have tried to link this terrorist act to illegal immigration.
To truly get a grasp of the issues of national security, illegal immigration, terrorism, we as Americans need to remove the blinders that have been placed upon our faces. We need to look at all and not look at one whether it be religion, race or political party. Not all terrorists are Muslim and not all illegal immigrants are Hispanic.
But then again, if all the illegal immigrants are deported, who will care for all those pristine country club golf courses so many of us jet off to play on in south western America?
Previously under the law, a police officer would have been allowed to asked anyone for proof of U.S. citizenship if they suspected that person was in the U.S. illegally. You need no tot be doing anything wrong, just a simple question at any time, basically a judgment call by the police officer. Now, however, under the revision, you must have done something to warrant the question.
Whether if you are pulled over for a traffic violation or walking outside the crosswalk, then and only then can the police officer ask for legal documentation of U.S. citizenship. So you gotta do something wrong to be asked, kind of like immigration's version of "don't ask don't tell." Yet the revision does not take place till July 2010.
With all the fuss over the Arizona law, the thought of a National I.D. has come to surface. Ever since 9/11, Republicans have told us that they are the true defenders of the United States and the Democrats will allow more attacks to happen. So why is there very little Republican support in Congress for the new National Immigration law?
Under the proposed law, Democrats are calling for immigration overhaul with ideas of; National I.D. card, increased money for border patrol agents, helicopters and unmanned drones to patrol the border. The proposal would also seek out companies the hire illegal immigrants or "undocumented workers." Is that the politically correct term these days?
The law pushes many ideas to tighten the borders, to stiffen prosecution of drug smugglers, to hiring more department agents in: Border, Immigration & Customs, Arraignment officers, Deportation officers, even the Coast Guard would get a bump in surplus.
President George W Bush signed the Secure Fence Act in October 2006 and to this day only about 50 miles of that fence for 700 miles requested was built along the Mexican border. Estimated cost of $9 million/mile, the fence is not moving due to geography and unhappy land owners fighting that the fence would split their pink flamingos in their yard. Not to mention that in December 2006 after the law was signed, the Golden State Fence Company was contracted to work on the fence line outside of San Diego. Golden State was found guilty of hiring illegal, or "undocumented workers" to build that fence. And it wasn't the first time Golden State got busted for using "undocumented workers."
Now if 54 Republicans and 26 Democrats eagerly helped pass President Bush's silly fence bill, why is there no Republican support for the current major immigration overhaul that is on the Congressional calendar?
National I.D. cards are nothing new. Many suggested the idea to President Bush shortly after 9/11 and he waved off the idea. One could consider your Social Security number as one form of National I.D., since we are asked for our Social Security numbers from job interviews to college administration forms to credit cards application.
There was the REAL ID Act of 2005, which became a joke from the get-go. Many panned it as illegal, since it basically turned state Department of Motor Vehicle workers into federal Immigration workers. The cost to implement the technology became bloated and the timeframe for implementation went from January 2008 to January 2017. Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff once said "..embracing REAL ID would mean it would be used to "cash a check, hire a baby sitter, board a plane or engage in countless other activities. This is a description of a national identification system, which is illegal in the United States."
For the longest time, we as Americans have been Pavlov's dog of sorts in stereotyping people by race, religion, etc.. "No Irish Need Apply" was a common advertisement in 1800's America, forcing many Irishmen to take to manual labor jobs, sometimes causing race riots with African Americans trying to get that very same job.
After 9/11, many Americans stereotyped all Muslims as terrorists, while forgetting Timothy McVeigh was still considered a "red blooded" American on April 19, 1995 in Oklahoma City. And many Americans praise Andrew Joseph Stack as an American hero for flying his propeller plane into the Austin, Texas IRS building, killing two federal employees and injuring others.
No one can identify a terrorist nor an illegal immigrant, even Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has stated "I couldn't identify an illegal immigrant if I saw one." Through television and movies, for decades, we have seen image after image that an illegal immigrant is Hispanic. Thoughts of the movie "Born in East L.A." come to mind when Cheech Marin's character gets deported because he left his wallet at home and could not show proof of citizenship. Through constant imagery and repeated rotation, we assume all illegal immigrants are Hispanic and all terrorists are of Muslim decent.
After the May Day parades and anti-Arizona immigration rallies held coast to coast this past weekend, probably one incident will somehow turn into a "6 degrees of illegal immigrants" game.
As many of us now know, Times Square was sent into a frenzy as a T-Shirt (and former Vietnam Veteran)vendor spotted an unattended smoking(!) SUV in the area. The vendor immediately rushed to the nearest police officer. Quick thinking by the vendor and quicker response from New York finest, Times Square was evacuated for a possible car bomb plot. Luckily, those who designed the bomb failed in all their attempts to cause chaos as the car bomb never went off. But one can be positive that come Monday morning, that some media source, whether it be a respected journalist or an opinionator, will have tried to link this terrorist act to illegal immigration.
To truly get a grasp of the issues of national security, illegal immigration, terrorism, we as Americans need to remove the blinders that have been placed upon our faces. We need to look at all and not look at one whether it be religion, race or political party. Not all terrorists are Muslim and not all illegal immigrants are Hispanic.
But then again, if all the illegal immigrants are deported, who will care for all those pristine country club golf courses so many of us jet off to play on in south western America?
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